Tapestry Opera

General information

In addition to producing a concert and chamber opera season, Tapestry has become an international crossroads for diverse musical and dramatic artists inspired to contribute to the creation and evolution of new opera. Creation begins with multiple collaborations at the Composer-Librettist Laboratory (LibLab), where eight writers and composers are introduced and produce sixteen opera shorts under intense conditions. Successful partnerships may result in commissioning new full length works by Tapestry or by other producers. Evolution exists not only in the content and style of the music and text but also in performance practice. Tapestry Explorations (Tap:Ex) is Canada’s premiere program for the evolution and advancement of opera performance practice and seeks inspiration from other art forms in both art and popular streams.

Tapestry is also committed to sharing the power of contemporary music and drama in strengthening our communities. The Youth INside Opera Education Program gives youth and children from St. Jamestown, Toronto a full scholarship program to train and mentor with classical and hip hop professionals in the creation and performance of their own opera. New Opera 101 is an annual masterclass and professional debut opportunity for emerging artists with classical training to learn contemporary repertoire and interpretation with leading performers.

Tapestry productions have been nominated for over 30 Dora Mavor Moore Awards, garnering over 10. The most recent world premieres have been Pub Operas (G. Williams, D. Brock) and Shelter (J. Palmer, J. Salverson) with an upcoming world premiere in 2015 of M’dea Undone (J. Harris, M. Chan).

Some of Tapestry’s most critically acclaimed works include Nigredo Hotel (N. Gotham, A. MacDonald), Sanctuary Song (A. Richardson, M. Chan), Still the Night (T. Tova), and the historic Iron Road (Chan Ka Nin, M. Brownell).